As Jake Paul prepares for the biggest challenge of his boxing career a massive heavyweight clash with former unified champion Anthony Joshua on Dec. 19 in Miami one of combat sports’ most respected legends is urging fans to give Paul his due.
Anderson Silva, the former UFC middleweight king and one of the most accomplished strikers in MMA history, shares the card that night as he meets Tyron Woodley in a trilogy bout. Silva knows better than most what it’s like to share the ring with Paul after their competitive 2022 matchup, and he believes it’s time fans stop dismissing the “Problem Child.”
Silva: “Jake Proves He’s Ready for a Fight Every Time”
Despite Paul’s 10–1 boxing record and willingness to face established names, he still receives heavy criticism from portions of the combat sports world. Silva doesn’t understand why.
“Everybody has a chance when you go inside the ring,” Silva told MMA Fighting. “And I respect Jake a lot because Jake proves to every single person how he’s ready for a fight. He’s a real fighter.”
Silva said fan narratives about Paul only fighting inexperienced opponents no longer apply. “People start talking a lot of bad things about Jake because, ‘Oh, Jake never fight with a real fighter.’ So now these people can’t say nothing because Jake is set to fight with a big and giant and amazing fighter an amazing boxer. What are the people going to say now?”
Joshua, a former Olympic gold medalist and one of the most physically imposing heavyweights of the era, enters the bout as a massive favorite. But Silva argues that just stepping up to such a challenge commands respect.
How the Joshua Fight Came Together
Originally, Paul was scheduled to face Gervonta Davis in an exhibition bout in November. But after Davis was hit with a sexual assault lawsuit, Most Valuable Promotions postponed the event and began searching for a new opponent.
At the same time, Silva also needed a replacement opponent when Chris Weidman withdrew due to injury. The card was reshuffled, and Silva-Woodley III now joins Paul-Joshua as a dual-headliner streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Silva: Win, Lose, or Draw Respect Should Follow
While most expect Joshua to overpower Paul, Silva believes the respect should come regardless of the result. “Of course, maybe Jake loses, and people say, ‘Oh, I knew it, it’s not a real fight.’ So wait a minute Jake is not the same weight class as your opponent, but Jake comes inside the ring and fights with one of the best fighters in boxing.”
Silva stressed that fans can’t have it both ways: criticize Paul for avoiding elite competition, then dismiss him when he steps up to face an elite heavyweight.
“What are you talking about with Jake? I think nobody can talk about Jake if Jake is doing his job, respecting his opponents, and doing the best job. And I respect Jake a lot.”
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
